Movie News Wrap Up: October 9, 2012

Kick-Ass 2 Director Jeff Wadlow teases another image from the film’s set; the 85th Annual Academy Awards finds a host; Clark Gregg has begins shooting his second feature; another Abe Lincoln biopic is in the works, this one with Terrence Malick as its producer; Kevin Costner signs on to star in McG’s latest; several notable actors contend for roles in Chris Evans’ newest romantic comedy; and Natalie Portman is eyes several different projects.

Director Jeff Wadlow has once again teased Kick-Ass 2 fans with a picture from the film’s set. While past images have been focused on revealing some of the sequel’s new characters like Doctor Gravity and Colonel Stars (Jim Carrey) this image teases one of the comic’s major action sequences.

Discussing why the guns are being kept in the coffin would be a major spoiler, but trust us when we say that this funeral sequence is integral to the Kick-Ass 2 storyline, and should be a major set piece in the film.

Seth MacFarlane has been tapped to host the 85th Annual Academy Awards on February 24th.

The Family Guy creator has been enjoying a monster year with his directorial debut Ted posting fantastic box office numbers and his successful stint hosting SNL. While MacFarlane’s face might not be as recognizable to Academy Awards audiences as, say, Billy Crystal, his growing popularity with younger audiences might help the AMPAS entice those demographics into viewing.

Clark Gregg – better known to moviegoers as Agent Coulson in the Marvel Cinematic Universe – has begun filming his second feature film.

Titled Trust Me, the film will follow a washed-up child star-turned-agent who attempts to close a lucrative deal for a “13-year-old prodigy.” Filming has already begun in Los Angeles, and Sam Rockwell, Amanda Peet, and Allison Janney have been tapped to star.

For those who might not know Clark Gregg’s directorial debut was an adaptation of Chuck Palahniuk’s novel ‘Choke,’ which coincidentally starred Sam Rockwell as well.

Brit Marling (Another Earth) and Wes Bentley (The Hunger Games) have joined the cast of The Green Blade Rises, another biopic centered on the life of President Abraham Lincoln.

From first time director AJ Edwards, The Green Blade Rises seeks to shed some light on the early life of Lincoln, exploring his life before the presidency. While the principal role has yet to be cast, the film will also star Diane Kruger and Jason Clarke as Lincoln’s stepmother and father. As well, Bentley will play the 16th President’s first teacher and Marling will play his biological mother Nancy.

In addition to an eclectic cast, The Green Blade Rises has the added boost of Terrence Malick as its producer. Edwards has served as editor on several of Malick’s more recent projects including The Tree of Life.

–

Director McG (This Means War) has tapped Kevin Costner to star in his next film.

While it has not yet been titled, the film will follow a Secret Service Agent (Costner) who has been “forced” into retirement by a deadly illness. However, the typical “one last mission” calls Costner’s character, Ethan Runner, back into action with the promise of an experimental drug that could save his life but might also have some unexpected side effects.

Anthony Mackie, Aubrey Plaza, Giovanni Ribisi, Philip Baker Hall, and Topher Grace are all reportedly vying for roles in the forthcoming comedy A Many Splintered Thing.

Chris Evans is already signed on to play the film’s lead, a man who insists on a platonic relationship with an engaged woman (Michelle Monaghan) in the hopes of winning her over. If cast, Topher Grace will play Evans’ best friend, who encourages his unconventional relationship. There’s currently no word on what roles the other actors will play.

Oscar-winning actress Natalie Portman has hit the ground running since her hiatus, and has attached herself to a wealth of varied film projects. Early last week it was reported that Portman was being courted to play Jackie Kennedy for Darren Aronofsky’s biopic Jackie, and now The Wrap claims she is also being considered for the films Code Name Sasha and Last Witness.

Code Name Sasha is described as “La Femme Nikita meets Training Day” with Portman playing a single mother (and ex-con) hired by the FBI to bring down a large gun-funning syndicate. Last Witness, on the other hand, would see Portman playing a psychologist assisting the sole survivor of a bombing, who conveniently has amnesia.